The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2020

6,747 recoveries, 17 new cases, and one more death related to COVID-19 as Navajo Nation prepares to implement a 32-hour weekend lockdown

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Tuesday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 17 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and one more death. The total number of deaths has reached 463 as of Tuesday. Reports indicate that 6,747 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 82,708 people have been tested for COVID-19. The total number of COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation is 9,156.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 2,239
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 768
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 674
• Gallup Service Unit: 1,492
• Kayenta Service Unit: 1,264
• Shiprock Service Unit: 1,433
• Tuba City Service Unit: 848
• Winslow Service Unit: 431

* Seven residences with COVID-19 positive cases are not specific enough to place them accurately in a Service Unit.

On Tuesday, the state of Arizona reported 1,008 new cases of COVID-19, while New Mexico reported 214 new cases, and Utah reported 378 new cases. During an online town hall on Tuesday, President Nez announced that the Navajo Nation will change its 57-hour weekend lockdown to a 32-hour weekend lockdown beginning on Saturday, Aug. 8 at 9:00 p.m. (MDT) until Monday, Aug. 10 at 5:00 a.m. The daily curfew will also be changed to 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

“The 32-hour weekend lockdown will be assessed down the road once we review the data and receive recommendations from our health care experts. As long as there is no vaccine, we have to continue to do everything we can to keep flattening the curve. Today, we only have 17 new cases but our goal is to get to zero new cases. Until then, please continue to stay home, wash your hands, wear your mask, avoid large crowds, and practice social distancing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Navajo people along with all of our health care workers and frontline warriors are doing a great job. Let’s keep fighting hard and do not let up against this virus,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

The Department of Health and the Health Command Operations Center is also preparing for the upcoming winter flu season. They have also created a vaccination group to develop plans securing and distributing a vaccine for COVID-19 once one is proven to be safe and made available.

“We have to keep our guard up as we approach the flu season. There is still plenty that we don’t know about COVID-19 and so we have to be prepared for any potential spikes in new cases. We cannot become too relaxed in our daily activities, so please stay home as much as possible to keep yourselves and your loved ones safe and in good health. Our prayers are with all the people fighting this disease and all of those fighting to help others,” said Vice President Myron Lizer.

For more information, including helpful prevention tips, and resources to help stop the spread of COVID-19, visit the Navajo Department of Health’s COVID-19 website at http://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. For COVID-19 related questions and information, call (928) 871-7014.

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